8 Japanese Stars WWE Should Sign

Japanese wrestling stars have had a somewhat turbulent history in Vince McMahon's WWE.

Kenzo Suzuki lasted but a mere year on the main WWE roster, Yoshi Tatsu's run came and went, Ultimo Dragon's one year run was so uneventful it's best remembered for him falling over during his WrestleMania entrance, and perhaps the less said about the borderline offensive connotations of Kaientai the better.

However, with the recent successes of Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka, Hideo Itama, and Kota Ibushi in NXT and the CWC, it appears attitudes towards Japanese talent are beginning to change in WWE.

And given that New Japan has been on fire for the last few years, as well as companies like Dragon Gate and Stardom enjoying real resurgences, it wouldn't be a shock if Vinny Mac and co- had another talent raid in the pipeline.

But who are the wrestlers WWE should have their eye on? Which puroresu and joshi stars would fit in WWE or NXT?

Here're eight Japanese wrestling stars that WWE should sign.

Back in the day, the thought of Dragon Gate wrestlers making it in WWE would have been unthinkable.

But with the success of Akira Tozawa in the Cruiserweight Classic (although we're still furious that Tozawa beat the wonderful Jack Gallagher in the second round), it appears all that might be about to change. You know, if Tozawa ever actually appears on the main roster as part of the Raw cruiserweight division, that is.

Anyway, the big name in Dragon Gate at the moment is Yamato, the current Open the Dream Gate Champion - basically a sexy name for their world champ.

Although names like CIMA, Dragon Kid, BxB Hulk, Shingo Takagi, and Naruki Doi may be better known to casual observers of Dragon Gate, Yamato is the guy whose style has the most potential to cross over successfully in Vinny Mac's land of the giants.

Highly charismatic, Yamato's narcissistic and arrogant character would translate well and he has a Nakamura like power to draw the audience in through his presence alone.